Three Tankers Struck by Unknown Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Three Liberia-flagged oil tankers were struck by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz this week, shipping intelligence firm Marisks and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported. The incidents took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, and UKMTO additionally received time-late reports of separate attacks including one on Monday evening that led to a fire. That fire was extinguished and the vessel involved was reported underway with its crew safe. Marisks and other intelligence providers identified the vessels as the oil products tanker Al Ruwais and the VLCC Mersin Prosperity, both managed by ADNOC Logistics & Services, and the Aframax tanker Sinbad, managed by Anglo-Eastern Tanker Management. Kpler data reviewed by Reuters indicates Sinbad had loaded refined products at Saudi Arabia’s Jubail port in early September. UKMTO described the reports as time-late third-party submissions and said verified sources reported each of the three incidents. All three tankers were transiting with their automatic identification system transponders switched off, according to Marisks. Details on the nature of the projectiles, responsible parties, or the extent of damage beyond the one reported fire were not disclosed in the available reports. The episodes come amid industry commentary that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have rebounded close to pre-war volumes. Analysts and banks have said throughput has nearly or fully recovered in recent weeks, but the attacks underscore that operational hazards persist in the waterway and that traffic conditions may not be as open or secure as some estimates suggest.